Real Madrid submit second bid for 16-year-old Argentinian starlet

Real Madrid have more or less settled their squad for the 2023-24 season, with one or two outstanding issues in defence and in the goalkeeping department, and have already set their sights on the 2024-25 season. Specifically on Argentinian starlet Franco Mastantuono.

The River Plate gem scored a brilliant free-kick to win the match for El Millionario late on Sunday night, and reminded everyone of his quality. Including Santi Solari, Real Madrid’s Sporting Director, who is leading talks for Mastantuono. Diario AS report that after an initial €20m bid plus variables was rejected, they have made an offer of €25m.

That information is backed up by Sport, who say that the offer could include more in variables too, but that no deal is imminent. Los Blancos are keen not to pay his €45m release clause, having already secured the green light from the left-footed maestro, but River are hoping to set the record for a sale in Argentina, being more than €30m. Real Madrid will also consider leaving Mastantuono at River for another year, as he only turns 18 in August of 2026.

Mastantuono was on the radar for Manchester City and Barcelona prior to Real Madrid opening talks with him. However it appears they now have free reign to negotiate with River, knowing Mastantuono only wants to move to the Santiago Bernabeu. That said, Leny Yoro’s move to Manchester United was a keen reminder for Real Madrid that no deal is done until the contracts are signed.

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